Will you give this to my Daddy?
As a Company, Southwest Airlines is going to support "Red Fridays."
Last week I was in Atlanta , Georgia attending a conference. While I
was in the airport, returning home, I heard several people behind me
beginning to clap and cheer. I immediately turned around and witnessed
one of the greatest act's of patriotism I have ever seen.
Moving thru the terminal was a group of soldiers in their camo's, as
they began heading to their gate everyone (well almost everyone) was
abruptly to their feet with their hands waving and cheering. When I
saw the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded and cheered
for it hit me. I'm not alone. I'm not the only red blooded American
who still loves this country and supports our troops and their
families.
Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for these young
unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday for us
so we can go to school, work and ho me without fear or reprisal. Just
when I thought I could not be more proud of my country or of our
service men and women a young girl, not more than 6 or 7 years old,
ran up to one of the male soldiers. He kneeled down and said "hi," the
little girl then she asked him if he would give something to her daddy
for her. The young soldier, he didn't look any older than maybe 22
himself, said he would try and what did she want to give to her daddy.
Then suddenly the little girl grabbed the neck of this soldier, gave
him the biggest hug she could muster and then kissed him on the cheek.
The mother of the little girl, who said her daughters name was
Courtney, told the young soldier that her husband was a Marine and had
been in Iraq for 11 months now. As the mom was explaining how much her
daughter, Courtney, missed her father, the young soldier began to tear
up. When this temporarily single mom was done explaining her
situation, all of the soldiers huddled together for a brief second.
Then one of the other servicemen pulled out a military looking
walkie-talkie. They started playing with the device and talking back
and forth on it. After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier
walked back over to Courtney, bent down and said this to her, "I spoke
to your daddy and he told me to give this to you." He then hugged this
little girl that he had just met and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He
finished by saying "your daddy told me to tell you that he loves you
more than anything and he is coming home very soon."
The mom at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as the
young soldier stood to his feet he saluted Courtney and her mom. I was
standing no more than 6 feet away from this entire event unfolded. As
the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their gate, people
resumed their applause. As I stood there applauding and looked around,
their were very few dry eyes, including my own. That young soldier in
one last act of selflessness, turned around and blew a kiss to
Courtney with a tear rolling down his cheek.
We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their families
and thank God for them and their sacrifices. At the end of the day,
it's good to be an American.
RED FRIDAYS ----- Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing
Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to
be called the "silent majority". We are no longer silent, and are
voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers.
We are not organized, boisterous or over-bearing. We get no liberal
media coverage on TV, to reflect our message or our opinions. Many
Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize
that the vast majority of America supports our troops.
Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity
and respect starts this Friday -and continues each and every Friday
until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that..
Every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar will
wear something red. By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the
United States on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming
football game in the bleachers.
If every one of us who loves this country will share this with
acquaintances, co-workers, friends, and family. It will not be long
before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the
once "silent" majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more
than the media lets on.
The first thing a soldier says when asked "What can we do to make
things better for you?" is...We need your support and your prayers.
Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example;
and wear something red every Friday.
IF YOU AGREE -- THEN SEND THIS ON.
IF YOU COULD CARE LESS THEN HIT THE DELETE BUTTON --- IT IS YOUR
CHOICE.
WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE, ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE.
THEIR BLOOD RUNS RED---- SO WEAR RED! --- MAY GOD HELP AMERICA TO
BECOME ONE NATION, UNDER GOD.
